Cooking and cooling apparatus



Aug.v 8, 1933 A. R. THOMPSON 1,921,442

COOKING AND COOLING APPARATUS Filed Sept 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

' g- 8, 1933- A. R. THOMPSON 1,921,442

COOKING AND COOLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2III/I/I/ /lfll/ G N a R IN VEN TOR.

to Food Machinery Corporation,

San Jose,

Cali, a Corporation of Delaware Application September 10, 1930 SerialNo. 481,039

31 Claims. (Ci. 198-232) This invention relates to cooking andcoolingapparatus wherein cans or other sealed containers filled withcomestibles or other materials are passed through a cooking chamberwherein they are heated sufficiently high to cook their contents, andare then passed through a cooling chamber where they are allowed tocool.

Most foods require the application of relatively high temperatures inorder to cook them, and in consequence as the cans pass through thecooker and are subjected to heat, considerable internal pressure isdeveloped in them which may cause them to explode, or force open theseams thereof. In order to prevent this the heating chamber is usuallymaintained under a sufiicient pressure to offset the internal pressuresdeveloped in the cansand thus relieve the strains 1 thereon. Thispressure is also maintained in the cooperating with the cooker andcooler reels to. transfer the cans from the former to the latter.

In spite of the precautionary measures taken to prevent the cans fromexploding under the application of heat, it is practically impossible toprevent it entirely since faulty cans are not always detected beforebeing fed to the cooker, and these defective cans usually explode, ortheir seams open up, thus forcing the cans out of shape. Other canssometimes get out of align: ment for one reason or another during theiradvancement through the cooker and are crushed or bent out ofv shape.Ordinarily this condition does not prevent the cans from con-' tinuedadvancement through the cooker due to the clearances in the reels andguides, but when such a misshapen can reaches the transfer valve it isapt to be wedged in the valve pocketso tightly that it is not'dischargedinto the cooler but is carried therepast and back into the cooker. Theresult is that when the pocket is presented to the cooker to receiveanother can, it already contains a can and the second can is then jammedinto the pocket with the first. This operation is repeated until thetransfer valve bejammed in the transfer valve until the con on becomesso aggravated as to necessitate apparatus being shut down to repairs.When this occurs the canner sufiers a substantial loss since the valvemust be taken apart and repaired thus entailing loss of time andexpense, and the cans remaining in the cooker and cooler are ruined dueto the loss of pressure therein consequent upon the removal of thevalve.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of my invention to providein combination with a valve of the type referred to, means for detectingthe presence of cans which have become jammed therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide in combination with a valveof the type referred to, means for stopping its operation and theoperation of auxiliary apparatus when a valve pocket becomes jammed.

A further object is to provide in combination with a valve of the typereferred to, means for stopping its operation when a valve pocketbecomes jammed, and means for simultaneously sounding an audible signalwhereby the condition is brought to the operators attention.

It is also an object to provide a valve of the type referred to, withmeans for stopping its 1 operation as well as the operation of auxiliaryapparatus when a valve pocket becomes jammed, and at a point where thepocket is exposed and easily accessible.-

Another object is to provide in connection with a valve for transferringcans between a cooker and cooler, means for stopping the operation ofsaid cooker, cooler and transfer valve in the event a can becomes jammedin said valve.

A further object is to provide the transfer valve between a cooker andcooler with means for stopping the operation of said cooker, cooler andvalve in the event a can becomes jammed in said valve, and at a pointwhere the can is easily accessible for removal.

A still further object is-to provide a transfer valve between a cookerand cooler, with means for stopping the operation of said cooker, coolerand valve in the event a can becomes jammed in said valve, at a pointwhere the can may be readily reached for removal without loss ofpressure from the cooker or cooler.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent at the descriptionproceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a combined cooker and cooler showing myinvention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the transfer valve with the cover removed toshow the detector mechanism.

The cooker A may be of any suitable construction but is preferablyconstructed in accordance with the disclosure in my U. S. Letters PatentNo. 1,385,594 dated July 26, 1921, and comprises a pressure tightcylindrical shell 1 within which is disposed a guide 2 of spiralconformation which provides a spiral pathway for the cans from the inletto the outlet. A series of L shaped rails 3 is attached to the outerperipheries of a plurality of spider wheels 4 disposed at spacedintervals within the cooker and which rotate about the shaft 5. By thisconstruction it will be seen that the cans are held in the spiral canwayformed by the guide 2 and propelled therethrough by the rotating reelformed by the rails 3.

A toothed ejector wheel 6 is mounted within the cylinder formed by therails 3 opposite the discharge opening '7 formed in the cooker shell 1and is so disposed that its teeth mesh with the interstices between therails and extend therethrough so as to eject the cans from the spiralcanway out thru the opening 7 and into the transfer valve 8. The ejectorwheel 6 is mounted upon the shaft 9 which may be fixed within the cookerin any suitable manner, and rotation is'imparted to the ejector wheel bythe revolving reel.

Cooperating with the ejector 6 is a guide member 10 which is fixed tothe valve casing 11 and projects into the cooker outlet opening 7 andhas its inner lip disposed in close proximity to the upper edges of therails 3 and the outer tips of the teeth on the ejector. As the cans arelifted out of the canway by the ejector and received by the pockets inthe transfer valve they are prevented by the guide 10 from falling backinto the cooker.

Between the outlet 7 of the cooker A and the inlet 12 of the cooler B isdisposed a rotary valve 8 mounted upon a shaft 13 and provided with aseries of peripheral pockets 14. adapted to successively receive thecans as they are ejected from the cooker reel by the ejector 6 andpropel them through the lower part of the valve casing 11 to the inletopening 12 of the cooler where they roll by gravity into the coolercanway and are thereupon engaged by the cooler rails and propelledthrough the cooler in the same manner as on their previous passagethrough the cooker. Means are provided for operating thevalve 8 insynchronism with the cooker and cooler so that the valve pockets willsuccessively receive each can as it is discharged from the cooker andtransfer it to the cooler. The shaft 13 is provided. with a gear 16which is driven from the end gear 1'7 which drives the cooker. Thecooler is driven from the shaft l8 which is driven from the gear 17 bygearing not shown.

It is necessary that the valve casing 11 be open at the top for thereception of apparatus hereinafter described and by reason of thisconstruction it is necessary that the valve be pressure tight to preventloss of pressure from the cooker and cooler through the opening. To thisend the valve is provided with a packing which comprises a pair ofpacking rings 19 which are yieldably seated against the side of thevalve by the pressure of springs 20. The springs 20 may be seated withinscrew glands 21 which may be adjusted to vary the spring pressure. Itwill be noted that the rings 19 are split as at 22 and, being resilient,they press against the inner wall of the valve casing throughout theircircumferences. The rim of the valve is packed by means of a pluralityof packing plates 23, slidably mounted in suitable grooves between thepockets 14. Each of the plates is resiliently pressed against the innerwall of the valve casing 11 by means of a spring 24 disposed in thebottom of the groove underneath the plate.

The valve casing 11 is provided with flanges 25 which cooperate with theflanges 26 on the frames 27 to receive the casing and hold it in place.Both the cooker outlet and the cooler inlet are provided with a frame 27which surrounds the opening and may be fastened to the shell in anysuitable manner. Removable covers 28 may be provided to allow access tothe interiors of the shells.

The cooler B is constructed similarly to the cooker A and comprises apressure tight shell or casing 29 within which is disposed a spiralguide 30 forming a spiral can path through the' cooler. Longitudinalrails 31 attached to the outer peripheries of the spider wheels 32cooperate with the guide 30 to propel the cans through the cooler in thesame manner. as in the cooker.

Since they form no part of my invention. and are unnecessary to anunderstanding thereof, I

have not shown the means for maintainingpressure in the cooker andcooler, nor the means for heating the cooker. However, it Will beunderstood that suitable means for these purposes are provided as iswell known in the art. For example, steam may be admitted to theinterior of the cooker and compressed air 'to the cooler.

As above pointed out, if a misshapen can is received by the transfervalve. it is likely to jam therein so that when it is presented to thecooler inlet it does not roll out but continues on around to the cookeroutlet, -whereupon the ejector 6 places another can in the pocket,necessarily mashing it as it does so, and increasing the already jammedcondition. To prevent this, the top of the valve casing is left open toprovide a hand hole and means is provided for detecting the pressure ofa jammed pocket and stopping the valve with that pocket adjacent thehand hole so that the damaged. can may be easily and quickly removed. Tothis end a detector wheel 33 having teeth 34 is disposed in the handhole 35 in such manner that the teeth mesh with the can pockets l4 andproject close to the bottoms thereof. The wheel 33 is mounted to rotateupon a shaft 36 carried by the arms 37. One end of the shaft carries anadjustable screw 38 cooperating with the ledge 39 to determine the depthto which the teeth 34 project into the can pockets. The shaft isflattened for that portion of its length, as

had

shown, which extends over the ledge 39 in order to allow maximumdepression of the detector wheel teeth.

The arms 37 are pinned to a rock-shaft 46 which is supportedintermediate its ends by the bearing bracket 41, and also pimied to theshaft 40 is a cam 42, which cooperates with a valve lever 43 projectingthrough a slot 44 in the cover 45. An air valve 46 controls a supply ofcompressed air which is, conducted from any suitable source by the pipe47 and delivered to a stop mechanism through the pipe 48.

Mounted in bearings 49 upon the shell 1 of the cooker is the drive shaft50 which is provided with a pulley 51 for connection with a suitablesource of power, and which drives the cooker reel through the medium ofthe reduction gearings 52 and 53 and the gears 54 and 17 fixed to theshaft 5.

The pulley 51 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 50 and fixed to its hub55 is the casing 56 of a well known type of frictiondisc clutch. Asleeve 5'7 is slidably keyed to the shaft 50 and carries bevelledcollars 58 at each end, one of which cooperates with the clutch levers59 to engage and disengage the clutch thus causing the pulley 51 todrive the shaft 50 or not according to the position of the sleeve 57.

The casing 60 of a second friction disc clutch is shown fixed to thebearing 61. The other bevelled collar 58 carried upon the sleeve 57cooperates with the clutch levers 62 to engage and disengage the clutchthus allowing the shaft 50 to rotate freely or acting as a brake toprevent rotation depending upon the position of the sleeve 57. It willbe seen that by this construction when the sleeve 57 is in its extremeright hand position the clutch 56 is engaged thus causing the shaft 50to be driven by the pulley 51. When the sleeve 57 is shifted to the leftthe clutch. 56 is disengaged thus allowing the pulley 51 to rotatefreely with respect to the shaft 50. At the same time the bevelledcollar 58 causes the clutch to be engaged thus locking the shaft 50against rotation.

A lever 63 controls the position of the collar 57 and means are providedwhereby the lever may be either automatically operated by thedetectorwheel 33 or manually operated as desired. For automaticoperation, the compressed air line 48 communicates with one end of acylinder 64 within which operates a piston to which is connected thepiston rod 65 supported in a bearing 66. The rod 65 passes through anopening in the lever 63 and is provided with a pair of collars 67, oneof which engages the lever when the rod is moved. When the valve 46 isopened, compressed air is admitted to the cylinder 64 through the pipe48 and forces the piston to the right thus moving the lever 63 so as tocause the sleeve 57 to be shifted to the left and disengage the pulley51 from the shaft 50 and lock the shaft 50 against further rotation; Thelever 63 must be returned to its original position manually, and forthis purpose a rod 68 is mounted in bearings 69 and carries a pair ofcollars '70 which cooperate with the lever, 63 to shift it backward orforward according to which way the rod 68 is moved. it hand-grip 71 isprovided at one end of the rod and a collar '72 is provided at theopposite end, between which and the rear bearing 69 is disposed a coilspring 73 surrounding the rod. By pushing the rod 68 to the right, thelever 63 is shifted to the right,

locking the shaft 50 against rotation; and pulling the rod 68 to theleft against the tension of the spring 73, shifts the lever 63 to theleft and disengages the clutch 60 and engages the clutch 56. A verysmall escape orifice '74 is provided in the cylinder 64 to permit therestoration of atmospheric pressure within the cylinder after the valve46 is closed so that the lever 63 can be shifted to the left manually.

A can chute -75 leads to the inlet of the cooker which is controlled bya valve similar to the valve 3. The outlet of the cooler (not shown) isalso controlled by a similar valve.

76 indicates a whistle communicating with the pipe 48. which serves tosound a warning The cans are fed into the cooker by way of the can chute75 and are propelled through the spiral canway in the cooker formed bythe guide 2 by means of the revolving rails. 3. As each can reaches thedischarge point. it is lifted out of the canway by a tooth of theejector wheel 6 and over the lip of the guide 10 which prevents itsreentry into the cooker as the tooth of the ejector wheel recedes. Sincethe valve 8 is rotated in synchronism with the cooker and cooler, thecans are successively received by the pockets 14 and are now propelledover the bottom of the valve casing to the inlet opening 12 of thecooler. Here the casing 11 is broken away so that the cans roll out ofthe pockets by gravity and into the canway of thev cooler. They are thenpropelled toward the cooler outlet by the revolving rails 31 cooperatingwith the spiral guide 30. During their progress through the cooler thecans are gradually cooled under pressure so that by the time they reachthe discharge point of the cooler they are cool enough so that they maybe safely discharged therefrom.

If, as sometimes happens, a can is forced out of shape during itspassage through the cooker either by exploding, or by misalignment, orfor any other reason, it will be ejected from the reel by the ejector 6in the usual manner but will probably become jammed in the can pocket ofthe transfer valve which receives it. As the pocket moves opposite thecooler inlet the can is not released but remains in the pocket. It willbe seen that when the pocket reaches the detector wheel 33 the tooth 34cannot project-to the bottom of the pocket in consequence of thepresence of the can and thereforethe wheel is lifted, thus turning thecam 42 which shifts the valve lever 43 and opens the air valve 46. Co1npressed air is immediately admitted to the cylinder 64 which forces thepiston to the right carrying with it the rod 65 and the lever 63. Theshifting of lever 63 causes the sleeve 57 to be moved to the left thusdisengaging the drive shaft 50 from the power supply and immediatelyapplying a brake was to lock it against further to remove the cover 45,lift the detector wheel 33 out of the way and remove the can. It will benoted that the construction of the valve, and the location of theopening is such that there is no resulting loss of pressure from thecooker or cooler. The operation is extremely simple and requires only amoment of time. When the detector wheel is returned to its properposition, the valve 46 is closed, thus cutting off the supply ofcompressed air to the cylinder 64 and the pressure existing therein isrelieved through the escape orifice 74. The operator may now place theapparatus in operation by pulling the rod 68 to the left which releasesthe clutch and engages the clutch 56 whereupon the pulley 5 drives theshaft 50.

It will now be apparent that my invention provides a comparativelysimple mechanism for preventing the jamming of rotary valves used inconnection with pressure chambers, and in case of a jammed valve pocket,causing the valve and auxiliary apparatus to be stopped at a point wherethe jammed pocket is readily accessible and can be cleaned without theloss of pressure from the pressure chamber.

Although I have disclosed my invention as applied to the transfer valvebetween a cooker and cooler, it is obvious that its use is not limitedthereto but it may be used in connection with a rotary valve regardlessof its position or the apparatus with which the valve may be used. Forexample, it may be used in conjunction with the cooker inlet valve orthe cooler outlet valve in the apparatus illustrated herein. Many otherchanges, variations, and modifications may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed and I wishit to be understood that I regard myself as entitled to all suchchanges, variations and modifications as fall within the scope of theclaims hereto appended.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may beused, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:-

1. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, and meansintermeshing with said pockets for detecting obstructed pockets whichhave passed said discharge port.

2. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means foroperating said valve, and means intermeshing with said pockets adaptedto disconnect said operating means when an article is carried past saiddischarge port.

3. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, stop means forsaid valve, and means intermeshing with said pockets adapted to actuatesaid stop means when an article is carried past said discharge port.

- 4. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles fromsaid inlet port to said discharge port, means for operatingsaid valve, a clutch intermediate said operating means and said valve,and means intermeshing with said pockets adapted to cause thedisengagement of said clutch when an article is carried past saiddischarge port.

5. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, and yieldablemeans intermeshing with said pockets for detecting obstructed pocketswhich have passed said discharge port.

6. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means intermeshingwith said pockets for detecting obstructed pockets which have passedsaid discharge port, and brake means actuated by said detecting meansfor stopping rotation of said valve when said detecting means isactuated.

7. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means disposedbetween the discharge and inlet ports and intermeshing with said pocketsfor detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from the discharge port tothe inlet port, and means actuated by said detecting means for stoppingrotation of the valve and sounding an audible signal when said detectingmeans is actuated.

8. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means disposedbetween the discharge and inlet ports and intermeshing with said pocketsfor detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from the discharge port tothe inlet port, means for stopping rotation of said valve, and means forsounding an audible signal, said stop means and said signal means beingadapted to be operated by said detecting means.

9. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means pockets fordetecting obstructed pockets which have passed said discharge port, andmeans actuated by said detecting means for stopping rotation of saidvalve when said detecting means is actuated.

10. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport and a handhole, a rotary valve 'in said casing having pocketsadapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to said dischargeport, means for detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from thedischarge port to the inlet port, and means adapted to be actuated bysaid detecting means for stopping rotation of said valve when anobstructed pocket comes opposite said handhole.

11. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and adischarge'port, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted totransfer articles from said inlet port to said discharge port, meansdisposed between the discharge and inlet ports and intermeshing withsaid pockets for detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from thedischarge port to the inlet port, pneumatic means for stopping rotationof said valve, a pipe for supplying compressed air to said last namedmeans, a valve in said pipe adapted to be actuated by said detectingmeans, and a whistle communicating with said pipe between said valve andsaid pneumatic stop means.

12. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having pocketsadapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to said dischargeport, yieldable means intermeshing with said pockets for detectingobstructed pockets which have passed said discharge port, and meansadapted to be actuated by said detecting means for stopping rotation ofsaid valve when an obstructed pocket comes opposite said handhole.

13. In combination, a valvecasing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means foroperating said valve, a-clutch intermediate said operating means andsaid valve, yieldable means intermeshing with said pockets for detectingobstructed pockets, and means associated With said detecting means forcausing the disengagement of said 'clutchwhen detecting means isactuated.

In combination, a valve casing'having an inlet port, a discharge port,and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted totransfer articles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means foroperating said valve, a clu"ch intermediate said operating means andsaid valve, means for detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from thedischarge port to the inlet port, and means associated with saiddetecting means for disengaging saidclutch when an obstructed pocketcomes opposite said handhole.

15. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport, and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having pocketsadapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to said dischargeport, means for detecting obstructed pockets as they pass from thedischarge port to the inlet port, means for operating said valveincluding a driven shaft, means for driving said shaft, a clutch betweensaid driving means and said shaft, a brake on said shaft, and meansadapted to be actuated by said detecting means for disengaging saidclutch and applying said brake whereby said valve is stopped with saidobstructed pocket opposite said handhole.

16. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport, and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casirTg having pocketsadapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to said dischargeport, means for detecting ob-= structed pockets as they pass from thedischarge port to th inlet port, means for operating said valveincluding a driven shaft, means for driv= ing said shaft, a clutchintermediate said driving means and said shaft, a brake on said shaft, acylinder, a piston therein having a pistonrod, means connected with saidpiston rod for actuating said clutch and said brake, and meansassociated with said detecting means for admitting compressed air tosaid cylinder whereby said clutch is disengaged, said brake is applied,and said valve is stopped with the obstructed pocket opposite saidhandhole.

17. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port a discharge portand a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having pockets adapted totransfer articles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means fordepositing articles in said pockets through said inlet port, means foroperating said valve and said depositing means in synchronism, means fordetecting obstructed pockets as they pass from the discharge port to theinlet port, and means for stopping the operation of said valve anddepositing means, said stop means being adapted to be actuated by saiddetecting means to stop the valve with said obstructed pocket oppositesaid handhole.

18. In combination, a chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second chamber, a rotary valve having pockets adapted totransfer articles from the outlet of said first named chamber to theinlet or" the other, means for operating said valve and said advancingmeans, means intermeshing with said pockets for detecting obstructedpockets, and stop means for said operating means adapted to be actuatedby said detecting means when said detecting means is actuated.

19. In combination, a chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second chamber, a rotary valve having pockets adapted totransfer articles from the outlet of said first named chamber to theinlet of the other, means for operating said valve and said advancingmeans, a yieldable star wheel having teeth adapted to mesh'with saidpockets whereby an obstructed pocket causes displacement of said starwheel, and means for disengaging said operating means when said starwheel is displaced.

20. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second pressure chamber, a valve casing connecting withthe outlet of said first named chamber and the inlet of the other, saidvalve casing having a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing havingpockets adapted to transfer articles from said outlet to said inlet,means for operating said valve and said advancing means, means fordetecting obstructed pockets as they pass from the discharge port to theinlet port, and means actuated by said detecting means for stopping saidoperating means when an obstructed pocket comes opposite said handhole.

21. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port and a dischargeport, a rotary valve in 7 said casing having pockets adapted to transferarticles from said inlet port to said discharge port, means foroperating said valve, detector means adapted to be successivelyprojected into and Withdrawn from said pockets, and an operativeconnection between said detector and valve operating means whereby thelatter is disconnected when the detector means is projected into anobstructed pocket.

.22. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having peripheralpockets adapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to saiddischarge port, detecting means disposed in said handhole andcooperating with said pockets as they pass thereby for detectingobstructed pockets as they pass from the discharge port to the inletport, and means adapt- 140 ed to be actuated by said detecting means forstopping rotation of the valve when an obstructed pocket comes intoregistry with the handhole.

23. In combination, a valve casing having an teeth adapted to mesh withsaid pockets whereby an obstructed pocket causes displacement of thestar' wheel, and means adapted to be actuated by said star wheel forstopping rotation of the valve when an obstructed pocket comes intoregistry with the handhole.

24. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having pocketsadapt-- ed to transfer articles from said inlet port to said dischargeport, detector means disposed in said handhole adapted to besuccessively projected into and withdrawn from said pockets, and meansactuated by said detector means for stopping rotation of the valve whenthe detector means is projected into an obstructed pocket.

25. In combination, a valve casing having an inlet port, a dischargeport and a handhole, a rotary valve in said casing having peripheralpockets adapted to transfer articles from said inlet port to saiddischarge port, a star wheel disposed in said handhole having teethadapted to mesh with said valve pockets, a pivoted arm upon which saidstar wheel is carried whereby said star wheel may be displaced by anObStlllCw tion in a valve pocket, and means for stopping rotation of thevalve when the star wheel is displaced. V

26. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a valve casing having an inlet port, a discharge port, anda handhole open to the atmosphere, said inlet port connecting with theoutlet of the pressure chamber, 'a rotary valve in said casing havingperipheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from the inlet port tothe discharge port, means for operating said valve and advancing means,detecting means cooperating with the valve pockets for detectingobstructed pockets which have passed the discharge port, and meansactuated by said detecting means for stopping said operating means whenan obstructed pocket comes into registry with said handhole.

27. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a valve casing having an inlet port, a discharge port, anda handhole open to the atmosphere, said inlet port connecting with theoutlet of the pressure chamber, a rotary valve in said casing havingperipheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from the inlet port tothe discharge port, means for operating said valve and advancing means,detecting means intermeshing with the valve pockets for detectingobstructed pockets which have passed the discharge port, and meansactuated by said detecting means for stopping said operating means whenan obstructed pocket comes into registry with said handhole.

28. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a valve casing having an inlet port, a discharge port, anda handhole open to the atmosphere, said inlet port connecting withtheoutlet of the pressure chamber, a rotary valve in said casing havingperipheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from the inlet port tothe discharge port, means for operating said valve and advancing means,detecting means disposed in said handhole adapted to be ,successivelyprojected into and withdrawn from said pockets, and means actuated bysaid detecting means for stopping said operating means when thedetecting means is projected into an obstructed pocket.

29. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second pressure chamber, a valve casing connecting theoutlet of the first named chamber with the inlet of the other, saidvalve casing having an opening to the atmosphere, a rotary valve in saidcasing having peripheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from said,outlet to said inlet, means for operating said valve and advancingmeans, means cooperating with the valve pockets for detecting obstructedpockets which have passed the aforesaid chamber inlet, and meansactuated by said detecting means for stopping said operating means whenan obstructed pocket comes into registry with said atmospheric opening.

30. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second pressure chamber, a valve casing connecting theoutlet of the first named chamber with the inlet of the other, saidvalve casing having an opening to the atmosphere, a rotary valve in saidcasing having peripheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from saidoutlet to said inlet, yieldable detecting means disposed in saidatmospheric opening adapted to intermesh with the valve pockets fordetecting obstructed pockets which have passed the aforesaid chamberinlet, and means actuated by said detecting means for stopping saidoperating means when an obstructed pocket comes into registry with saidatmospheric opening.

31. In combination, a pressure chamber, means for advancing articlestherethrough, a second pressure chamber, a valve casing connecting theoutlet of the first named chamber with the inlet of the other, saidvalve casing having an opening to the atmosphere, a rotary valve in saidcasing having peripheral pockets adapted to transfer articles from saidoutlet to said inlet, detecting -means disposed in said atmosphericopening adapted to be successively projected into and withdrawn fromsaid valve pockets, and means actuated by said detecting means forstopping said operating means when the detecting means is projected intoan obstructed pocket.

ALBERT R. THOMPSON.

